Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-01-28
rum AND LABOR.
Why workingmen Drink A So.
cialist View Of the
Question.

Why Workingmen Drink "A S0'
cialist View Of the
Question.
From the Toledo Blade.
On Sunday, December 10, the English
speakn,s section Of socialists in Chicago
held meeting at which document was
read and Endorsed by vote, which gave IN
detail statement of the causes leading
vorkingmen to indulge in drink. 1t IS too
long to publish, nor is it necessary to do SO
in order to understand the tenor OF the
opinions expressed therein. It is in the
form of an open letter, addressed TO the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union,
and in some measure is reply to the APP
neal of that body to unions and other Or
carnations Of the workingmen of the coun-
try. It assumes that the w. G. L. U. APP
peal made charge of general intemper-.
ancc against workingmen-which it did
not-and then proceeds to show that in
temperance is as common among other
classes. of the community as among the
workingmen, which is, to o large extent,
true.
Then follows the most important part OF
ths document-a discussion of the princl-
pal causes which lead to lntemperance
among the working classes of the land.
They declare that the drink habit is the
result of the environment and associations
which the wage-workers are compelled to
endure. These are treated under three
principal heads: "heredity, social customs,
and industrial conditions. !" The effect OF
the hereditary transmission of vice is dis
tinctly recognized, but it is not discussed in
this open letter. The statement is made
that it is On undecided question as to what
degree men are morally responsible for
acts committed under hereditary influence,
and it is pleaded that poor man is en-
titled to the same degree of leniency or
condemnation as wealthy one-in which
we heartily agree.
Social custom as a cause of intemper-
ance is next considered. It is shown to
arise from an abuse of two of the best
hun ian qualities Hospitality and good:
fellowship" The wage-workers, moved
by that gregariousness which is the COM
mon attribute Of all men, enjoy social con-
verse and the charm of society. The cause
is stated thus:
with but few exceptions the wage
worker returns from his days hard labor
to home of two or three small rooms in q
crowded tenement; to home where every
inch of space is used for the actual neces-
stiles Of family life-washing, cooking,
eating, and sleeping; to home with moth
ing in it to excite him to mental activity
unless it be the fumes of his supper. He
has no means to entertain visitors, no room
to receive them; but in the saloon he finds
relief for his tired hand and brain; relief
fromthe dusty factory and noisy shop. Ir
the saloon, with cards and beer and friend.
ly neighbors, his social instincts find de.
gree of qualification.
ave cannot check mans gregariousness
The saving of the race lies in this gregar.
ian instinct; in the fact that we need eacl
other. Mans social needs are as impera
tive as his physical needs. AS the grocer.
and meat market supply the demand TO
food, SO, to many Of our brothers, the sa
loon furnishes the readiest and cheapes
means of gratifying the social instinct. A.
long as this be true so long will it be pa
tronized by him."
This sounds we'll, and the unthinkin.
reader will be apt to accept it. But ther'
k is q fallacy in it. The workman fees from
his home that he may find congenial society
relief for tired hand and brain, relief iron
the dusty factory and noisy shop. Blu
how is it With his wife? She is gregarious
also; she has been cooped up in that sam,
pnlovely home SO graphically depicted al
the day long; she has worked hard all day
and when We consider her weaker physique
and more nervous organization, she stands
Just as much in need of change of scene
of congenial companionship, of relief from
squalid holse and noisy children as doe
her husband from his all day surroundings
But she cannot go to the saloon, and, "witl
friendly ntighbors," find qualification. No
she must stay amid the identical surround
ings that have been hers all day, and spen'
the evening alone, without her husband
society to cheer her.
This plea is that of coward. The es
sence Of marriage is companionship. VIII.
can he not make companion Of his wife
cite mental activity" why does he not tax
with beer to purchase books and papers
and things to redeem its barrenness? VIII
must the wife be condemned to life with
III this arid waste OF home, SO vivid
pictured, while the husband need not? Til
| logic is false, one sided; it will not bea
honest investigation.
| Continuing the discussion of this branc
of the subject, the document goes on o
follows:
"a circular issued by one of your TEN
perance organizations makes the startlin
announcement that 10000 minors habitu
ally visit saloons; if that statement be true
and we will not dispute it, the number Q
minors visiting saloons must be constant
increasing, for the causes producing tha
state of Things are operating unchecked
and unless some more suitable, more at
tractive place Of meeting can in some wa
be provided for these young people the re
suit will continue forever. The need 70
society is especially strong in the young
Light, music, cheerful company, and chang
of scene are needs of existence with then
AS the saloons furnish ali these, it is an in
evitable consequence that they will frequel
them"
| This is but an extension of the sam
chain of false reasoning. Cause is place
for effect. II the nottingham who spend
his leisure hours among the dirty. foul
smelling. debasing surroundings of a baer
| shop We're to spend the money he Their
wastes il making comfort ,ble. cheerf1
home for his wife and children, Their
| would be no reason why the latter coul
hot receive their young friends there, an
have society, and music, and all thes
things which arr regarded as necessi.ie.
The truth is, the example of the father
potent: the children-that is, the NAL
ones follow his footsteps to the saloon
| fha GIRLS ara cHr.Iom pai ~ 41,o cow, ia